‘It’s my final show – before the break’: Gary Lineker jokes amid departure rumours | Gary Lineker

Questions on his rumoured departure from Match of the Day reportedly prompted Gary Lineker to swear at a journalist this week.

However the BBC’s highest-paid star was in a extra playful temper on Saturday night time as he joked he was internet hosting his ultimate present amid mounting hypothesis over his future on the programme.

The BBC denied reviews this week that Lineker’s run on the helm of its flagship soccer present was coming to an finish. It stated on Thursday that nothing had been agreed and that Lineker was beneath contract till the tip of the soccer season.

Lineker, who has an annual wage of £1.35m, made mild of the rumours on Saturday as he launched this week’s version of the soccer highlights present on BBC One.

“Hiya. Seven video games on the way in which and it’s my ultimate present,” he stated. However after pausing, he added: “Earlier than the worldwide break.”

Alan Shearer and his fellow pundit Micah Richards smiled on the quip through the opening minute of the present, which is not going to air subsequent week whereas the Premier League stops to permit its gamers to fulfil worldwide fixtures.

The Every day Mail reported this week that it had seen a draft electronic mail saying that Saturday could be Lineker’s ultimate look as Match of the Day host.

The newspaper stated it couldn’t confirm the authenticity of the e-mail, which included a tribute from the BBC director normal, Tim Davie. It added that when a MailOnline reporter doorstepped Lineker to ask in regards to the rumours, the previous England striker stated: “Fuck off, I received’t discuss to you. Go away.”

Lineker’s contract is because of run out subsequent 12 months and there was hypothesis over whether or not he’ll stay after public clashes with the company culminated in a employees mutiny final 12 months.

He was taken off air by the BBC in March 2023 after writing on X that the language utilized by the federal government to launch a coverage on small boat crossings was “not dissimilar to that utilized by Germany within the 30s”. However Lineker was reinstated after a few of his colleagues pulled out of reveals in solidarity.

The 63-year-old opened up about his future on the present in an interview with BBC Breakfast in August. Lineker stated it had been a privilege to current the present for the final 25 years and that he didn’t know the way lengthy he had left on it. “It relies upon how lengthy they need me, I suppose,” he stated. “I really like doing it in the mean time. I’ve nonetheless received one other 12 months left, no less than. So we’ll have to attend and see what occurs.”

On Sunday, the BBC reiterated its place and wouldn’t touch upon Lineker’s remarks. A spokesperson stated: “We now have nothing to announce and we’ve got not agreed subsequent steps with regard to his contract. He’s beneath contract till the tip of the season.”